Fair Elections Coalition Praises Rep. Hodes for Cosponsoring Fair Elections Now Act

WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Fair Elections Coalition, which represents seven national campaign reform organizations, praised Rep. Paul Hodes today for his leadership in tackling the issue of special interest money in Washington, D.C. by cosponsoring the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, H.R. 1826.

The groups issued the following statement:

“With the debates on health care, energy, and financial regulation taking center stage in Washington, big moneyed interests have their checkbooks out. The best way to ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard is to change the way congressional elections are financed, and that’s why we are greatly appreciative of Rep. Hodes for signing onto the Fair Elections Now Act.

“We look forward to working with Rep. Hodes to pass this practical proven campaign reform program.”

The Fair Elections Now Act provides qualified congressional candidates public financing once they demonstrate broad public support by raising a large number of small donations. The House legislation, which was introduced by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), has nearly 60 cosponsors. For a full summary of the legislation, visit fairelectionsnow.org.

The Fair Elections Now Coalition includes the Brennan Center for Justice, Change Congress, Common Cause, Democracy Matters, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Three dozen additional organizations have endorsed the Fair Elections Now Act.

SOURCE Fair Elections Now Coalition